AstraZeneca plans to conduct further development of AZD3480 by initiating Phase IIb studies in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has agreed to make a $10 million milestone payment to Targacept. AstraZeneca also plans to continue development of AZD1446 (TC-6683) for Alzheimer's disease. AZD1446 is currently in Phase 1 and was discovered in the ongoing AstraZeneca-Targacept research collaboration.

Bayer has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a new estradiol-based oral contraceptive (estradiol valerate/dienogest). It seeks approval for the indications oral contraception and treatment of heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding. The new product with an estradiol valerate/dienogest combination is the first in a new class of oral contraceptives to deliver estradiol, the estrogen identical to the one produced by the female body.

Through the acquisition of the Aarhus-based biotech company NeuronIcon, Lundbeck will gain ownership of technologies that may lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of brain damage following strokes or similar events. The acquisition is the result of Lundbeck's intensified collaboration with universities in Denmark and abroad.

Several area health care organizations agree that today's tough economic times can make staying healthy a challenge. The organizations provided tips for Ohioans to stay healthy. Those organizations are: The Athletic Club of Columbus, Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Columbus Dietetic Association, Lilly USA, Mental Health America of Franklin County, NAMI Ohio, Ohio Association of Free Clinics, Ohio Department of Health and Prevent Blindness Ohio.

Roche announced that the Phase III study BRAVO showed Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) improved vision, as measured by the primary endpoint of mean change from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity at six months, in patients with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion. The safety profile of Lucentis was consistent with previous experience and no new adverse events related to Lucentis were observed in the study.

GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) has acquired the branded generics business of Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Libya and Yemen for a cash consideration of $23.2m (£14.2m).

H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) today announced positive headline results from a dose finding clinical trial with the compound Lu AA24530 for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).